The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-12-31
LINcoLN.s SECRETARY.
A chat WITH Colonel ricoiny About IN,
prestdent's CharRcterIstIcs.

n Chnt with Colonel Nlcoiny About tha
Presldent'a characteristics.
Glow did Mr.. Lincoln bear himself
during the campaignp"
"He was always self-poiscd man,
quiet and equable in temper. seldom
greatly elatcd or much depressed. He
was not worried about the campaign,
and had himself thoroughly in hand.
People sent him many curious symbols
OF frontier life--axes. mauls. wedges.
rails-nnd all sorts Of people on all
sorts Of errands called OH him in the
Governors room in the State House,
which was assigned to him. Many
came from mere curiosity. and they
would sit awkwarlly around looking
at him. He could not talk politics
much at such time. and tho bulk Of
his visitors were shy of speech. They
handled the symbols that had been
sent in, and spoke to him of their use,
and he would sometimes take the end
Of an axe hclve between his fingers and
hold tho axe out at arms length, to
show that he had not lost his strength.
In various simple ways he thus man
aged to kill time. One fellow had the
impudence to come wearing seces-
sion cockade in his. hat. Lincoln spoke
| to him pleasantly, and shook hands as
with the others, and the intruder sat
around half an hour, looking. foolisl,
and saying nothing, and finally went
out The crowd quietly ignored the
intended insult"
"Mr. Lincoln was just rs democratic
in the White House, believe" said.
"Yes," assentcd Colonel Nicolay,
land that went far toward giving him
| his firm hold on the hearts of the peo-
pie. 1t was his custom. while he was
Preside mt. to hold an informal rccep.
ton between twelve and one o'clock
| each day, to hear in person the
requests and wishes of al orts
of people who chose to come tc
to see him. Rich and poor. white and
black, Gro wded into the business office,
(now Colonel Lamont's) shook hands
and told him what they wanted. He
generally wrote II card and referred the
petitioner to the proper department,
but often he attended to it himself.
Men who wanted Office came; alleged
Unionists who wanted pay for losses
cranks who showed him how to put
down the rebellion; mothers who had
sons in the army; relatives of men who
had been ordered shot; tramps who
were hard up and wanted money Oh
transportation to enable them to &c
somewhere. 1t was like some ancient
Druid standing under an oak tree and
dealing out justice to the realm"
Didn't the people exasperate OLD
Abe sometimes?"
| "Not often. He listened patiently
to all, seldom protecting himself ever
from bores. never saw him angry
but twice. and then only momentarily
He turned ono man out of the room
and laid his hand on his shoulder tt
hasten his departure if necessary"
Iasked if Mr.. Lincoln comprehendet
that he was in constant danger of hi
life. e
| "Of course" said Colonel Nicolay
ut was often discussed between hi
friends and himself. They would say
Now, Lincoln, you must look out ant
be constantly on your guard. Som
crank is liable to come along and xii
YOU His answer always was, 4 will
be careful. But l can not discharg
my duties and withdraw myself en-
tircly from danger of an assault. SO
hundreds OF strangers every day. ant
if any one has the disposition to xii
me he will find opportunity. To b.
absolutely safe, L should cock mysel
up in a box Threa tening letter
came, and these l always showed t.
Mr.. Lincoln, who generally tulne,
them over to the War Department. ~
W a. Crofat in indianapolis Journal